The population of Rwanda is roughly 14 million,[1] with nearly 82%[2] of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture is Rwanda’s main economic activity, accounting for 27%[3] of the nation’s GDP and with over 56%[4] of the population employed in agriculture. Poverty is extremely high in Rwanda with more than half of the population living below the international poverty line of $2.15 a day.[5] Approximately 90%of Rwandan land is sloped, which enhances soil erosion and fertility loss. In addition, Rwandan agriculture is particularly vulnerable to climate change as most farmers rely on rainfall for irrigation.[6]
The top produced commodities in Rwanda are bananas, cassavas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, plantains and beans.[7] Rwanda’s top commodities in terms of export value are rice, wheat and meslin, flour of roots and tuberns, and maize flour. [8]
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Rwanda is set at 100 Rwandan francs (0.07 EUR) per day or 2,440 Rwandan francs (1.7EUR) per month, based on 24.4 workdays per month.[9] This value remains the same since 1974. Families working in most sectors typically need to supplement their incomes and do so through subsistence agriculture and other jobs in the informal sector. About three-quarters of all workers in Rwanda are employed in the informal sector. In addition, violations of wages and overtime prevail in both the formal and informal sectors.[10]
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed 2 Reference Value studies for rural Rwanda, one for living wage and one for living income, based on the Anker methodology.
Living Wage
The Anker Living Wage reference value for rural Rwanda has been estimated at 215,096 Rwandan francs (154 EUR) per month. This is the wage required for workers in a typical rural area of Rwanda to afford a basic but decent standard of living in 2023.[11]
Living Income
The Anker Living Income Reference Value for rural Rwanda is 277,674 Rwandan Francs (189 EUR) per month. This is the living income estimate for a typical family in rural Rwanda to cover the monthly cost of a basic but decent standard of living in 2023.[12]
Improving farmer incomes 
The Ethical Tea Partnership runs a full range of programmes to help tea farmers in Rwanda to improve their economic standing.
Assessing coffee household income
Assessment of household income of coffee farmers in seven origins to improve strategy, policy and Fairtrade's Minimum Price.
Living Income Reference Value, Rural Rwanda
Living income estimate to cover the estimated monthly cost of a basic but decent standard of living for a typical family in rural Rwanda. Global Living Wage Coalition, 2023.
Living Wage Reference Value, Rural Rwanda
Living wage estimate for workers in a typical rural area of Rwanda to afford a basic but decent living standard. Global Living Wage Coalition, 2023.